The Master of Arts in Education degree in Student Affairs is designed to prepare students to obtain entry and mid-level student affairs professional positions. Through a theory-based yet applications-oriented program, students gain necessary skills and competencies to succeed in a variety of student affairs units and postsecondary settings. The Counseling and Student Affairs faculty comprised of academics and practitioners cultivate active partnerships with student affairs professionals to provide a living learning laboratory for student professional development. Program content covers three broad areas: theoretical foundations, professional practice, and administrative effectiveness. Individual students are also provided with opportunities to focus on specific content areas which may be of particular interest. Aligned with the institutional and departmental mission the Student Affairs program is committed to: * Foster student professional development through networking, scholarly writing, research, presentation opportunities, and the Student Affairs Graduate Association. * Provide the university and community with in-service training, professional development, research, and consultation in the area of student affairs/student development. * Deliver highly interactive application based courses. * Focus on diversity and multicultural competencies. * Facilitate meaningful supervised practicum and internship experiences.

Counseling and Student Affairs Programs will attain or maintain national accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and/or national certification from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). Counseling and Student Affairs Programs will provide relevant, practice-oriented programs designed to build an applied, theoretical knowledge base while assisting students in the development of professional/clinical competence in a culturally diverse society. Students will attain the knowledge and skills necessary to seek appropriate state or national credentialing in their chosen profession. Academic and clinical training will prepare graduates with the skills desired by prospective employers.